Chapter 1475 - 1468: Family Discipline
"Am I excessive? Robert Lancaster, why don’t you tell me how I’m being excessive?"
Callum Lancaster retorted indifferently, "Aunt Violet herself said it before, that we should no longer use the rules to talk about things. Nowadays, society is about equality for everyone. I’m just speaking the truth; how is that excessive?"
After Callum finished speaking, Evander Lancaster chimed in, crossing his legs casually as he leaned back in the chair, looking at his arrogant cousin across the room, saying with a half-smile, "Mom, I’ve lived outside for over ten years now. I don’t even know if the Lancaster Family rules still apply."
After hearing his nephew Evander speak, Gabriel Lancaster felt a sense of foreboding in his heart. It seemed this guy was planning to stir things up. What happened last night was also caused by him, and now he’s thinking about stirring things up with his own nephew!
Joseph Lancaster’s lips curiously curled into a slight smile. He knew that this restless little rascal wouldn’t make a move easily, but when he did, he wouldn’t let the opponent off easily.
"Evander, you’ve said it yourself, lived outside for over ten years. Where’s this talk about family rules in our Lancaster Family now!"
Gabriel Lancaster looked over unhappily to remind him. Evander Lancaster lifted his phoenix eyes with a smile and retorted, "Is that so? But I still want to try."
After speaking, Evander Lancaster sternly called towards the direction of the main door, "Uncle Frank!"
Upon hearing this call, everyone in the Lancaster Family instinctively looked towards the main door. Uncle Frank was the family’s old butler, and when Family Head Daxton Lancaster was alive, the power he wielded wasn’t something an average person could match.
Later, when Violet Zimmerman dissolved the family, he became just an ordinary worker, managing some trivial matters.
Even though more than ten years have passed, the members of the Lancaster Family remained deeply affected by Uncle Frank’s presence. Some feared him, while others resented him.
In the past, just as ruthless as a executioner might seem, whenever someone infringed upon family rules, his punishments were never lenient.
Seeing no movement at the main door, some people relaxed their tense emotions, especially the Gabriel Lancaster family and his two nephews, who turned their gaze back with a faint mocking expression.
Victoria Thornton’s tense heart also relaxed. Her husband, back then, had been harmed by the Lancaster Family rules and now needed a cane to walk.
Joseph Lancaster lay nonchalantly on the sofa, still aimlessly pursuing his two thumbs. Violet Zimmerman looked at Avery Stuart who was still kneeling before her; despite being silent, her expression was rather grim.
Robert Lancaster was somewhat disapproving of his brother Evander Lancaster’s recent actions. Why unnecessarily summon the butler? Now it’s a spectacle viewed by others.
While Robert Lancaster was silently grumbling, the door was pulled open from the outside, and the gray-clothed, elderly butler Uncle Frank entered through the doorway.
"Young Master, what are your instructions?"
Uncle Frank was already over sixty, yet his complexion was vibrant and his eyes were bright and spirited. His lean build complemented by old-fashioned garments gave the impression of an ancient martial artist, agile and vigorous.
Seeing Uncle Frank, Daemon Lancaster and his brothers who had just relaxed earlier, and Callum Lancaster scoffed coldly; they clearly disregarded the presence.
Nowadays is a society governed by law, who dares misuse private punishment?
"Uncle Frank, I want to ask if someone violates family rules, is punishment according to family law considered excessive?"
Uncle Frank instinctively glanced at the family matriarch Violet Zimmerman and replied, "It’s not excessive. Back then, the Family Head set the rules, and when he’s not around, the family matriarch, alongside the first and second young masters, can exercise the family law in his place!"
"Then Uncle Frank, I want to ask, does the Lancaster Family rule include a clause about insubordination being subject to family law?"
Evander Lancaster spoke nonchalantly, even when discussing business, he exuded a laid-back demeanor.
Uncle Frank slightly bowed with a fist, "Replying to the young master, the Lancaster Family rules do include such a clause; when the family’s elders are discussing issues, the younger generations mustn’t intervene!"
"That’s it then, Uncle Frank, someone has violated the Lancaster Family rules, proceed with the family law." Evander Lancaster was still nonchalant.
Before Daemon Lancaster could speak, Gabriel Lancaster grew dissatisfied, slamming the coffee table in front of him, shouting loudly, "Evander! Too excessive!"
"I’m excessive?"
Evander Lancaster looked over with a half-smile, speaking slowly, "Third Uncle, the so-called family has family rules, even though Mom no longer uses Lancaster Family rules to speak about things, yet those who’ve violated family rules should be punished according to Lancaster Family law."
"Hmph, how dare you!"
Callum Lancaster was indignant and retorted harshly, pointing rudely at Evander Lancaster.
"Evander Lancaster, what do you amount to? You’ve lived in the Lancaster Family for a few years, and if someone has infringed upon the Lancaster Family rules, you’d be the first! As a Lancaster descendant, with so many houses in the family, you choose to live outside; how do you have the qualification to discuss family rules with me?"
Facing Callum Lancaster’s defiance, Evander Lancaster didn’t grow angry but instead laughed, lifting his phoenix eyes as he glanced at him.
"You also mentioned I’ve lived outside all these years, so the Lancaster Family rules don’t apply to me, but it’s different for you,"
Upon saying this, Evander Lancaster’s half-smiling expression vanished, replaced by sternness.
"Since you choose to reside in Lancaster Family’s old estate, you must show respect to my mom, the family matriarch. Otherwise, move out!"
"Move out? Why?" Callum Lancaster continued to argue defiantly, clearly not considering Evander Lancaster’s family.
Over the years, Violet Zimmerman never exercised the authority of the family matriarch. Over time, it seemed that some had forgotten her identity.
"This old estate is a legacy from our ancestors, I’m a Lancaster descendant too, why can’t I live here!"
"Therefore, as long as anyone lives in this estate, my mom, the family matriarch, has the authority to exercise family law against those who infringe upon family rules!"
Evander Lancaster maintained a stern face and then turned towards the butler Uncle Frank, who had been standing by the door.
"Uncle Frank, according to Lancaster Family rules, what’s the punishment if a descendant from a collateral branch shows disrespect to the main family?"
Seeing Evander Lancaster getting serious, Daemon Lancaster and his wife’s faces showed panic. Uncle Frank was skilled; if he implemented family law on their son, even the couple’s intervention might not suffice.
Although Violet Zimmerman no longer managed each individual’s affairs, all expenditures of the Lancaster Family workers were under her charge, indicating they’re essentially using free labor; technically, these workers were employees under Violet Zimmerman, the family matriarch.
Uncle Frank slightly bowed towards Evander Lancaster, respectfully said, "Young master, if a descendant from a collateral branch disrespects the main family, according to Lancaster Family rules, they should receive fifty strokes."
"Then let’s proceed according to the rules." Evander Lancaster reclined back in his chair, his demeanor still casual.
The seat of honor on the sofa was occupied solely by Violet Zimmerman. Even though there were vacant places on either side, the rest of the Lancaster Family chose other sofas or brought over chairs.
This revealed that in all the Lancaster Family members’ eyes, she, as the family matriarch, still held certain esteem.